CJM 410 Management of Criminal Justice
Information Systems (Classroom Version)
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Instructor:
Instructor:                    Raymond E. Foster, MPA
Day/Time/Location:   TBA
Office Hours:              As needed
Office Telephone:      (909) 599.7530
Email:                        
raymond@hitechcj.com
 
Course Description:
This course concentrates on the introduction and use of technology in the management of criminal justice data and systems. The learner examines the issues and impacts on criminology and the criminal justice system caused by the availability and usage of technological advancements. It will also survey the trends and uses of modern technology in police response, criminal investigations, communications, response to major incidents and the administration of management and personnel data. It will examine problematic issues, impact on current laws, jurisdiction, the potential unintended consequences of technology in criminal justice management.

Learning Results:

  1. Compare and contrast the difference between tactical, strategic and management information in a criminal justice organization;
  2. Summarize and assess the limitations, strengths and potentials of criminal justice management technologies such as data bases, geographic information systems and a myriad of communications schemes;
  3. Develop information, technology, research and computer literacy skills through practical exercises, and course required research and assignments;
  4. Express, interpret and assess the ethical and social impact of technology and information systems on criminal justice management, stakeholders and personnel through written assignments, group presentations and individual presentations.
  5. Describe and summarize how technology has changed crime and created new types of crimes;
  6. Describe and summarize the ethical considerations of information management such as employee monitoring, search and seizure, and other contemporary issues; and,
  7. Place the role of technology and information management in a broader context by examining the historical, theoretical and practical developments of technology in criminal justice.
     
Source Material:
Foster, Raymond E. Police Technology Prentice Hall, July 2004
 
Order a Copy of Police Technology
 
All other readings are available online through hyperlinks provided on the course website.  Additionally, "helper" websites have been identified and are provided for each module.  Generally, "helpers" are websites that provide an explanation or presentation concerning a technical concept.  You may find these particularly helpful.  You can find all the the helper websites, organized by text chapter on the course companion website Police Technology.

(The following required and recommended readings are hyperlinked off the different module pages website)

Required Supplemental Readings:
·        
Your Source for Law Enforcement IT Guidance, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, May 20
·        
Introduction to Wireless Data, Broadbeam White Paper, 2003
·        
When They Can’t Talk, Lives Are Lost, National Institute for Justice

Recommended Readings:
·        
800 MHz Public Safety Interference: The Consensus Plan, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, October 2003.
·        
Your Source for Law Enforcement IT Guidance, The Police Chief, Technology Talk, May 2003
·        
Radio Spectrum, Executive Technology Brief, National Institute for Justice
·        
Intranets: A New Tool for Corrections Managers, Ned Benton, Corrections Managers' Report, October/November 1996
·        
Introduction to Wireless Data, Broadbeam Corporation, Trenton, New Jersey, 2000
·        
Improving Public Safety through Justice Information Sharing, National Governor's Association,
      A Center for Best Practices, February 2004

·        
Public Safety and the Interoperability Challenge Public Safety and the Interoperability, Smith, Brenna and
      Tom Tolman, AGILE, April 2000

·        
Crime Analysis in America: Findings and Recommendations, Timothy C. O'Shea, Ph.D.
·        
DNA Testing: Foolproof? CBS News 60 Minutes
·         
A Beginner's Primer on the Investigation of Forensic Evidence, Kruglick, Kim
·        
Can Wiretaps Remain Cost Effective? Hanson, Robin
·        
History Repeated: The Dangers of Domestic Spying by Federal Law Enforcement, ACLU, 2007

General Information:
This course is organized into four modules of instruction. In this eight week session, each module is two weeks in length. Exact due dates for assignments will be determined at the first class meeting.   Each module includes specific activities and assignments. Before you begin any course work, read through the entire syllabus, course website and ask questions in class. Further explanation of the various assignments and expectations can be found in this section and on the module pages.

Expanded Descriptions of Assignments

Individual Website Presentations
Each learner will be assigned to conduct a review of two specific websites. They will then provide a ten minute presentation on the websites, as well as a one-page briefing paper. The learner shall provide a copy of the briefing paper to each member of the class. The list of websites can be found at: Website Review Project

Exams
Exams one and two will consist of 50 multiple choice, true-false or short answer questions. All of the material in the exams will come from the primary text and will be cumulative.

Group Project
The final three chapters of the primary text book will be used as broad outline for the group project. The group project has two components. First, each group will produce an eight to ten page analysis of the assigned topic. Second, the group will lead a panel discussion on their topic. The three board areas of inquiry mirror the final three chapters of the primary text and are: Personnel and Training; Implementing and Managing Technology; and, Emerging and Future Technologies. At a minimum, the group paper should be 8-10 pages in length

In addition to being in APA format, the group paper should address the following under these specific headings:

Background;
Impact of Technology;
Non-technology Alternatives;
Stakeholders;
Outcomes and Consequences (intended and un-intended); and,
Recommendations.

The group as a panel will then present the their research and findings to the class. Groups should be prepared to lead a 30 minute discussion.

Issue Papers
Learners are required to prepare two (2) typed, 3-5 page, papers that are a discussion and analysis of a course related issue. At a minimum, it is expected that the learners will produce an academically sound and properly formatted work (APA format is strongly encouraged); with a minimum of three sources, not including the text book. The instructor will provide more information concerning the papers during class. The papers will be graded on content as well as exposition.

Practical Exercise Roundtable Discussion
Depending on the size of the class, each learner will be assigned between one and three short, practical exercises. These exercises are to be completed outside of classroom time. As an example, the learner could: experiment with intrusion detection; experiment with state place coordinates; or, determine an IP address. The exact practical exercise will be assigned during class. The learner is to prepare a one paragraph description of the experience and then participate in a roundtable discussion with all class learners. At a minimum, the roundtable discussion will explore: the value of practical exercises; the potential for use in criminal justice; the potential for abuse in criminal justice; and, the limitations of the technology.

Participation/Attendance/Interaction

        Attendance
Within the university setting, learners are expected to attend class on a regular basis, complete all readings and assignments before the stated dates and participate in topic discussions to enhance their overall learning experience. As participation is directly related to attendance, and because of the abbreviated nature of the eight week session, learners missing any class will not receive credit for participation. Attendance will be recorded by a class roster that will be passed among the learners during each class. It is the learner’s responsibility to sign the roster.

       
Participation
Participation is ten percent of the learner’s final grade. In addition to attendance, participation will also be measured by the use of an online threaded discussion. Specific instructions regarding the online forum will be presented during the course orientation and are available in Module One on this website.

Evaluation

Exam One                     10%
Exam Two                     20%
Group Project                20%
Issue Paper One            10%
Issue Paper Two           10%
Practical Exercise          10%
Website Presentation     10%
Participation                  10%
Course Total               100%

 

A

90-100%

B

80-89%

C

70-79%

U

69% and Under

Final Deadline for all work
All course work is due at the start of class in the week indicated on schedule. Absent prior permission, late assignments will be assessed a penalty of one letter grade per week. For information concerning the completion of course work beyond the last day of class refer to the UI&U Catalog.

Ethical Conduct
Learners should be aware that there are severe consequences for violations of academic ethical conduct. Primarily, we are concerned with cheating and plagiarism. Learners who are determined to have cheated or committed plagiarism will face disciplinary action as identified within UI&U regulations. For additional clarification of cheating and/or plagiarism, refer to the UI&U Catalog for policies regarding Academic Integrity.

American with Disabilities Act Compliance
Please refer to the Catalog for policies regarding American Disabilities’ Act or http://www.tui.edu/ASN/serv_learner_disab/default.asp for further assistance regarding UI&U compliance with ADA.

Download a copy of the syllabus

 

© 2004-2009 Raymond E. Foster, Hi Tech Criminal Justice